Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary

Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1952 is located near Pakhalashoknagar Village, Khanapur Mandal, Warangal District, Telangana State, India. It is located by the boundary of Pakhal Lake / Cheruvu, so it was named on the name of lake. It was built to serve as source of water for irrigational purpose. About 10 km from Narsampet town and 57 km from Warangal city, Pakhal lake is one of the few unpolluted lakes in India. This Lake was constructed by Jagadala Mummandi , a son of Bayyana Nayaka , Minister of the Kakatiya King Ganapati Deva in 1213 AD.

The sanctuary covers an area of 879.30 sq. km and is bestowed with rare flora and fauna. Some of the wild animals that can be spotted here at the Pakhal Wildlife sanctuary are Leopard, wild boar, panthers, hyenas, sloth bear, chital, mountain gazelle, blackbuck, four-horned antelope or chousingha and many others. Reptiles such as python, cobra, crocodiles, monitor lizard, etc., can also been seen in the sanctuary. One can also see a wide variety of migratory birds during the month of November to March. The afforestation drive is also attracting rare owl species like the Dusky Eagle-Owl, which is now a crowd puller at the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary.Thick-billed green pigeon, which is a very rare record in Telangana, and yellow-footed pigeon, too, have been spotted at Pakhal.  Last time, a tiger was sighted in Rampur forest of Pakhal Wildlife sanctuary in 2009.

The wildlife sanctuary is consisted of various kinds of herbs, shrubs and climbers. It consists mainly of deciduous vegetation such as Emblica officinalis, Cordifolia, Bombax ceiba, Cleistanthus collinus, Flacourtia indica, Bridelia retusa, Dalbergia latifolia, Cochlospermum religiosum, Garuga pinnata. A few of the evergreen species are also seen such as Mallotus philippensis and Aegle marmelos.
It is said to be one of beautiful places on the earth as has greener pastures. Especially during winter, plenty of migrated birds come over here. Animals like Tiger, Wild Dogs, Panthers, Storks, Foxes Hyena, Gaurs, Teals, Spotted Deer’s, Pythons, Jackals, Ducks, Sloth Bears, Nilgai, and Sambars.

The forest department which is taking several steps to promote the Pakhal Lake as one the most sought after tourist spots in the State is planning to introduce night camping and jungle safari facilities in the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary in the district. It is already developing amenities like seating areas by setting up the fence covering seven acres of the land on a hillock abutting the Pakhal Lake in an attempt to provide safe shelter for the tourists in view of the growing monkey menace. 

Forest Department prepared plans to develop Pakhal lake, which is part of the Pakhal wildlife sanctuary, at an estimated cost of Rs 1.50 crore in a bid to promote eco-tourism. While a day camping facility is available near the lake, officials plan to set up a canopy walkway (treetop walk) and others soon. 

This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.

Best time to visit : November – June

Accommodation : Forest Rest House provided by the Telangana Tourism Board which is comfortable for visitors.
How to reach Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary: By Road: Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 50-km from Warangal, Number of buses are available.

By Rail: The nearest rail station is Warangal. Visitors can take Narsampet-Warangal Division which is 50 kms from Warangal.


By Air: Hyderabad is the nearest airport Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary.


https://telanganatoday.com/warangal-night-camping-jungle-safari-to-be-introduced-at-pakhal-lake-soon

https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/book-on-pakhal-biodiversity-525362